DNA methylation studies of depression with onset in the peripartum: A critical systematic review. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braun, Sarah Ellen; Lapato, Dana; Brown, Roy E.; Lancaster, Eva; York, Timothy P.; Amstadter, Ananda B.; Kinser, Patricia A.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 102(2019)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Major depression -- DNA methylation -- Pregnancy -- Prenatal maternal depression -- Epigenetics -- Reproducibility; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Overall, the quality of evidence linking MDP to changes in infant DNAm is weak. No longitudinal studies of DNAm exist in the MDP-DNAm literature. The novel rubric developed to quantify MDP-DNAm study rigor showed good reliability. Results indicate a greater need for transparency when reporting methods and results. Researchers should prioritize citing study findings that survive multiple testing correction. Abstract: Objective: Major depression with peripartum onset (MDP) has been associated with multiple adverse offspring health outcomes. The biological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear, but DNA methylation (DNAm) represents a plausible mechanism for mediating MDP exposures and changes in offspring development, behavior, and health. Advances in DNAm research necessitate reevaluating the MDP-DNAm literature to determine how well past studies conform with current best practices. Method: Five databases were searched to identify studies of prenatal-onset MDP and DNAm. Quality scores were assigned to each article independently by two raters using a novel scale specific for MDP-DNAm research. Results: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria. Quality scores ranged from 10 to 17 out of 24 points ( M = 12.8; SD = 1.9), with higher scores indicating increased study rigor. Poor covariate reporting was the most significant contributor to lower scores. Conclusion: No longitudinal MDP-DNAm studies exist. Earlier MDP-DNAm studies should be interpreted with caution, and future research must commit to sharing methodology and data to facilitate cross-study comparisons and maximize dataset utility.